Most unforgiving bass guitar?

[Sixgunn]

Once when I was drunk, I said something slightly sarcastic about an old Fender's age and weight. It's been holding that over my head, ever since

 

[rollie 55]

An upright bass will cure most players of too many notes. Gone are insipid pops, slaps, fancy meaningless technique that have nothing to do with groove or the beats and rests that serve the song. It makes you play more primitively, and get down to business. It'll cleanup your playing. The rest is ego fluffery.

yea but leo invented the electric so we can ROCK

 

[Pbassmanca]

I would have to say that the most unforgiving bass would be Billy Sheehan's "Wife" bass, that time he scorned her publicly. She still hasn't let it go.......

 

[JPaulGeddy]

I'll echo early sentiments, the Steinberger XL2 was the most 'transparent' instrument I ever played. Everything that was good & bad - there it was.

Also, practice with in-ears. HEAR EVERY MISTAKE / STRING NOISE. Ugh.

 

[bobyoung53]

If I wanted to work on my chops, and I do, I might use an instrument that revealed every excruciating detail of my technique, or at least crank the tone knob. What's the most revealing bass guitar/strings combo you've ever played? Did it make you better or did you abandon t?

Just crank the treble on whatever you own.

 

[azureblue]

you want the truth? Record your wood shedding, and listen back with headphones.

 

[Robal]

carbon fiber FTW! I've been playing a Steinberger L-2 since 1982, and a Modulus Graphite Quantum-6 since 1988, and holy crap talk about "exposing your weaknesses"! Sometimes it feels like I'm standing there with my pants down around my ankles! But any time I've wanted to just throw in the towel I remember that the part is gonna sound freakin' awesome once I can nail it. Every nuance of articulation and dynamics is clearly reproduced; really makes you think about micro-details in a very musical fashion.

plus I can pick up an ordinary wood Fender when drunk and still make it sound good!
]

I practice with a Steinberger L-2, because it reveals every mistake and nuance, so I can try to address them before grabbing my Fender P or J bass to play with others.

 

[ghostinthemach]

View attachment 3306691
This Precision MIJ A4E has a piezo and a standard P pup. It's lightweight, has a variety of tones and looks great. It is uncomfortable to play without a forearm contour. I'm playing this bass more often often in lieu of the upright and my right wrist and shoulder just ache after a few hours. I am trying out sitting on a stool and it seems to work better. Not giving up on this baby, just yet.

That may be the most beautiful P-bass I've ever seen and immediately searched for one. No luck.
I already have 5 P's of various types and my collection would be greatly augmented by such a find.

 

[ghostinthemach]

Brice 6 string fret less, sold it to save me any further embarrassment.

When I read OP's question I immediately thought of my Brice 5 string fretless. Definitely the most intimidating in appearance (6 string must look crazy in that 35" lgth), but I still find it surprisingly easy and strangely satisfying to play.
I've done a few acoustic gigs and even a rock gig or two sans-backup with it, but I sure wouldn't want to try it with the fretless 6.

 

[Usidore T Blue]

you want the truth? Record your wood shedding, and listen back with headphones.

The truth is gonna hurt, then.

 

[Usidore T Blue]

Haven't read all the responses but I would think any bass set up with very low action would accomplish what you're looking for. Or not.

That's interesting. How is lower action more revealing than higher? I don't understand the physics of it and have only ever played one bass.

 

[JRA]

none of them forgive going too long without practice...something i noticed....last time i picked one up. so i voted "any."

 

[dbsfgyd1]

If I wanted to work on my chops, and I do, I might use an instrument that revealed every excruciating detail of my technique, or at least crank the tone knob. What's the most revealing bass guitar/strings combo you've ever played? Did it make you better or did you abandon t?

I find recording is very good for letting you know just how's bad your techniques without the torture. Of course, it's torturous listing to it over and over and over again, but eventually, you get the point.

 

[Fender_Bender]

That's interesting. How is lower action more revealing than higher? I don't understand the physics of it and have only ever played one bass.

I think it's the fact that you have to play fairly delicately, consistently, and cannot dig in too hard. I used to play with really low action and developed a fairly light plucking motion from it. To this day I can play with strings that are almost laying on the frets. You also have to cut out any non vertical motion in your plucking to avoid fret buzz.

 

[patrickj]

Warwick Thumb + strings

 

[Usidore T Blue]

I think it's the fact that you have to play fairly delicately, consistently, and cannot dig in too hard. I used to play with really low action and developed a fairly light plucking motion from it. To this day I can play with strings that are almost laying on the frets. You also have to cut out any non vertical motion in your plucking to avoid fret buzz.[/QUOTE

Oh, the plucking hand, sure, that makes sense. Thanks!

 

[jeff7bass]

My Matt Freeman P-Bass has a big fat lacquered neck on it so it's not easy to play. Neck and frets are perfect though so action isn't an issue. All worth the effort because it gives back in tone what you put into it. It's the one bass I will always keep, especially now that they don't make them anymore. I could likely sell it for more than I paid for it brand new.

 

[adk teleman]

I'd have to say my Sting Ray 5. Man does it show how sloppy I play!

 

[Gunga Din]

This thing. With dead, dirty nickel strings. Anything else will make you sound angelic. Or demonic, if you will.

 

[StyleOverShow]

Pretty. Sounds like it is physically demanding--does the hollowbody make it sensitive to your technique, as well?

Not so much. I am playing sitting on a stool and can balance the bass on my left thigh into a comfortable position. I play it softly, without my usual attack.

There are several aftermarket acoustic guitar armrests out there, I wonder if one of those would help.

. Never considered one, hmmmm

What a beautiful bass. I've never seen or heard of this model. Is it something you made? Google reveals nothing.

it's a Made in Japan, A4 Fender, right on the headstock. I bought it a couple of years ago from @John Bigboote

Lookup Fender Thinline basses and you'll find it.

Thanks for the compliments on the looks. I use a HPF regularly with it, btw.